Everlasting Nora
A Novel

Name: Everlasting Nora
Brand: Macmillan Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Marie Miranda Cruz
ISBN: 9781250304254

Author: Marie Miranda Cruz

Narrator: Amielynn Abellera

Unabridged: 8 hr 29 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Macmillan Young Listeners

Published: 10/02/2018

Categories: Children's Fiction, Regional Stories, Children's Social Themes

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

"If the middle grade Filipino American market had an audio representative, Abellera would be the reigning voice" — School Library Journal

*Winner of a Parents' Choice Silver Award*

This program includes a bonus conversation with the author.

An uplifting middle-grade debut about perseverance against all odds, Marie Miranda Cruz's debut Everlasting Nora follows the story of a young girl living in the real-life shanty town inside the Philippines’ North Manila Cemetery.

After a family tragedy results in the loss of both father and home, 12-year-old Nora lives with her mother in Manila’s North Cemetery, which is the largest shanty town of its kind in the Philippines today.

When her mother disappears mysteriously one day, Nora is left alone.

With help from her best friend Jojo and the support of his kindhearted grandmother, Nora embarks on a journey riddled with danger in order to find her mom. Along the way she also rediscovers the compassion of the human spirit, the resilience of her community, and everlasting hope in the most unexpected places.

“Heartwarming!”—Melissa de la Cruz

“A story of friendship and unrelenting hope.”—Erin Entrada Kelly

About Marie Miranda Cruz

MARIE MIRANDA CRUZ was born in the historic town of Cavite City, Philippines, a city established in the late 17th century of the Spanish Colonial period, and spent a large portion of her childhood and teenage years living around the country. Marie moved to the United States permanently after getting her degree in Biology and currently works as a medical technician. She always held a deep love for children's books and writing; Everlasting Nora is her first novel.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Julia

This middle-grade novel earned 5 everlasting stars from me! My “tease” for EVERLASTING NORA… The dead are more dependable than the living. Twelve-year-old Nora should know; she dwells among them both. Over a year ago, Nora’s father was killed in an apartment fire that destroyed everything she depended......more

Goodreads review by Edith

This is a truly amazing book that I have believed in since its early conception. Marie and I were critique partners when she began writing this book of Nora’s journey. The unique Manila cemetery setting is so rich and alive while you are reading and will remain with you years later. Nora is the kind......more

Goodreads review by K.A.

Such a powerful, heartbreaking read. I learned so much from this tender, beautiful book.......more

Goodreads review by Mae

I absolutely loved this moving and gorgeous book. It realistically dealt w/tough themes of poverty and homelessness and still offered an uplifting message about family and perseverance. I remember visiting the Philippines as a kid and first learning about the Manila cemetery subculture--how truly an......more

Quotes

“Heartwarming and fun, with a fresh twist and a diverse cast of characters!” —Melissa de la Cruz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Descendants series and Alex & Eliza: A Love Story

“A story of friendship and unrelenting hope. Readers will escape into a world unlike any other, and will be better for it.”—Erin Entrada Kelly, author of Hello, Universe and The Land of Forgotten Girls

“Marie Cruz’s vivid writing transported me into a thrilling, memorable adventure!” —Alex Gino, author of George

"Amielynn Abellera exuberantly narrates the story of 12-year-old Nora...Abellera adds zest to the story, peppering it with luscious descriptions of Filipino delicacies that contrast sharply with the gritty and desperate reality of cemetery life...listeners will be utterly seduced by her depiction of tender and tenacious Nora, who reminds us that hope can be found amid even the most wretched conditions." -AudioFile

"If the middle grade Filipino American market had an audio representative, [Amielynn] Abellera would be the reigning voice. Already the narrator of two of Newbery Medal winner and Filipina American Erin Entrada Kelly’s three middle grade titles, she is an energetic cipher for Cruz’s feisty 12-year-old Nora." -School Library Journal

Awards

Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year